Posting a record of 7-2 in the Big Nine Conference and finishing among the final four in Section 2AA for the second year in a row was already an adequate reward for coach Sean Gillam and the Albert Lea High School girls’ tennis team.

The postseason honors are icing on the cake. Hopefully it’s a big cake.

Three Tigers received all-conference honors &045; the most for ALHS in many years &045; and Gillam was voted Big Nine Coach of the Year by his peers for the second year in a row. And, to top it off, the Tigers were crowned Section 2AA Academic champions.

Three seniors earned all-conference status &045; Ashley Helgerson, Nicole Rafdal and Karen Leonard.

Helgerson and Rafdal, the Tigers’ No. 1 doubles team, combined for a record of 8-1 in the Big Nine and 14-5 overall while Leonard was 7-2 in the conference at No. 2 and No. 1 singles.

&uot;The last time we had three all-conference players was probably 10 years ago or so,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;I know that five years ago we had two all-conference players and two honorable mentions. These are my first three all-conference players, so I am extra proud of their work.&uot;

The Tigers have made great progress in Gillam’s three seasons and, although grateful for the Coach of the Year award, he said credit for it has to be shared.

&uot;It is very nice to get the Coach of the Year honor in a competitive conference like the Big Nine,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;I hope that players and parents realize that this honor is a great reflection of how much the team has improved and all the work the girls have put in. No coach magically brings a team from one victory and 11 losses to 11 victories and five losses in less than three years without a great group of dedicated athletes and parents. If they had parents and teams of the year, we would definitely sweep those categories.&uot;

The Tigers won the section academic title with a combined grade point average of 3.85, with at least six seniors above 3.95.

According to Gillam, success in the classroom was one reason for success on the court.

&uot;We have always put a priority on faith, family and academics,&uot; he said. &uot;We obviously do not lack in any of these aspects. Furthermore, we are very strong in belief toward our success.

This court success translates directly from the success found in the classroom. Any coach would take intelligence and commitment over physical ability and egotism. We have three of those elements, and don’t want, have, or need the last, the egotism.&uot;

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)